Nearly 350 couples came together for the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessings Oct. 7 and 21 in Freehold’s Co-Cathedral and the Cathedral in Trenton. Among them were Ben and Frances Paolillo of St. Luke Parish, Toms River – the only ones celebrating 75 years of marriage.

The Diocese’s annual gatherings brought anniversary couples and their loved ones together with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and area priests for a tribute to married love and fidelity.

“There’s a lot of love in this room,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said as he looked over a sea of smiling couples, each celebrating a milestone anniversary this year.

“Today is a wonderful occasion for us to celebrate marriage, your marriage, your anniversaries in the midst of a community of faith,” he said. “This is your Sacrament, and this Sacrament that brought you together, this Sacrament that kept you together is a bond that has become stronger and deeper and holier with the passage of time.”

After receiving blessings from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and being enveloped in the warmth of the greater Church community and supported by families and friends, couples mingled with one another at receptions after both Anniversary Blessings Masses, recalling stories of love and faith.

The sentiments that follow are among those shared by those celebrating their first, silver, golden and more anniversaries as they discussed their stories, the Sacrament of Marriage and how their Catholic faith plays a significant role in their lives as a couple.More ...Sunday, October 28, 2018